16/07/2003 - The world’s main steel-producing nations began three days of talks in Paris today aimed at reaching an internationally binding agreement on cutting or eliminating subsidies to the industry. Government officials, meeting under the auspices of the OECD, will also hear the views of industry representatives.

A news briefing will be held at the end of the talks at 5.00 pm Paris time (3 pm GMT) Friday 18 July, 2003 at the OECD, 2 rue André Pascal, Paris, 75016, in Room 4. It will be presented by the OECD’s Deputy Secretary-General Herwig Schlögl.